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Claude Code Setup

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Setup production-grade .claude/ AI collaboration layer for projects. Use when an agent starts using Claude Code for development, enters a new project directo...

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About This Skill

# Claude Code Setup

Setup production-grade \`.claude/\` AI collaboration layer for projects.

Overview

This skill ensures projects have a proper \`.claude/\` configuration before agents start development work with Claude Code. It acts as a supervisor to maintain and enforce project standards.

Important: Target Project Directory

.claude/ must be created in the target project directory, NOT in your workspace root.

  • Example:
  • ❌ Wrong: `/home/user/workspace-xiaolong/.claude/` (workspace root)
  • ✅ Correct: `/home/user/eave-web/.claude/` (actual project being developed)

Always identify which project you're working on first, then check/create `.claude/` in that directory.

When to Use

  • Starting a new development task with Claude Code
  • Entering a new project directory
  • User mentions "Claude Code", ".claude", "AI collaboration layer", or "project standards"

Workflow

Step 1 — Check First

Always check if \`.claude/\` directory already exists in the target project directory:

\`\`\`bash ls -la .claude/ 2>/dev/null \`\`\`

Step 2 — If Missing → Create

If the project doesn't have \`.claude/\` directory, create it first before development:

\`\`\`bash node ~/.openclaw/skills/claude-code-setup/index.js \`\`\`

Step 3 — If Exists → Supervise

  • If \`.claude/\` already exists:
  • DO NOT overwrite existing files
  • DO NOT recreate the structure
  • ✅ Let Claude Code naturally maintain and update during development

Step 4 — Be a Supervisor

  • Your role is supervisor, not executor:
  • Ensure Claude Code follows rules in \`.claude/\`
  • During development, let Claude Code update configs based on actual code
  • Periodically review if \`.claude/\` content matches the project reality

Core Principles

  1. CLAUDE.md is core — Highest priority project instructions
  2. Modular — Separate rules/skills/context
  3. Clear directives — Use MUST/ALWAYS/NEVER
  4. Project context — Must include project overview and tech stack
  5. Don't reinvent — Reuse and maintain existing configs

.claude/ Directory Structure

\`\`\` .claude/ ├── CLAUDE.md # ⭐ Project-level global instructions (most important) ├── rules/ # Team rule library │ ├── frontend.md │ ├── typescript.md │ └── commit.md ├── context/ # Project context knowledge │ ├── project.md │ └── stack.md ├── skills/ # Project-private skills │ └── generate-crud.md └── prompts/ # Reusable prompt templates └── review.md \`\`\`

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Writing as requirements doc or README ❌ Vague rules ("try to", "should") ❌ Only CLAUDE.md without modularity ❌ Missing project context ❌ Overwriting existing configs ❌ Redundant recreation

Collaboration with Claude Code

When using Claude Code:

  1. Before starting: Ensure \`.claude/\` exists
  2. During development: Let Claude Code reference rules in \`.claude/\`
  3. After completion: Update \`.claude/\` with any new standards learned

Template Files

See \`index.js\` for template definitions.

Use Cases

  • Bootstrap a .claude/ configuration directory for new projects before Claude Code starts development
  • Enforce project standards via CLAUDE.md with clear MUST/ALWAYS/NEVER directives
  • Create modular rule libraries (frontend.md, typescript.md, commit.md) for team coding standards
  • Supervise existing .claude/ configurations to ensure they stay aligned with project reality
  • Generate reusable prompt templates and project-private skills in the .claude/ directory

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • +Supervisor-first design prevents accidental overwrites of existing configurations
  • +Modular .claude/ structure (rules, context, skills, prompts) scales from solo to team projects
  • +Automated setup script creates the full directory hierarchy with one command

Cons

  • -Opinionated directory structure may conflict with teams that already have custom .claude/ layouts
  • -Node.js script dependency for setup — requires Node.js installed in the project environment
  • -No automatic validation that .claude/ contents stay in sync with evolving project code

FAQ

What does Claude Code Setup do?
Setup production-grade .claude/ AI collaboration layer for projects. Use when an agent starts using Claude Code for development, enters a new project directo...
What platforms support Claude Code Setup?
Claude Code Setup is available on Claude Code, OpenClaw.
What are the use cases for Claude Code Setup?
Bootstrap a .claude/ configuration directory for new projects before Claude Code starts development. Enforce project standards via CLAUDE.md with clear MUST/ALWAYS/NEVER directives. Create modular rule libraries (frontend.md, typescript.md, commit.md) for team coding standards.

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